Backers say it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring such a venue to the county.

But critics have long argued that the site at Langarth, Threemilestone, is unsuitable due to potential infrastructure and road access problems.

Under the plans, the Stadium for Cornwall would be the home ground for rugby club Cornish Pirates and Truro City FC, as well as providing business and conference facilities and kitchen and hospitality training facilities for Truro and Penwith College.

The council considered the request, but said it would only consider providing £3m, with the other half of the funding hoped to be provided by central government, fulfilling a commitment made by former Prime Minister David Cameron.

How the Stadium for Cornwall could look

The Stadium for Cornwall group wants to have the venue ready for the 2019 rugby season.

Planning permission has already been granted for a 6,000-capacity stadium - with the ability for it to be expanded - and Cornish Pirates, who cannot be promoted to the premiership without a 10,000-capacity venue, have vowed to underwrite the running costs for the first 10 years.

Many councillors spoke in favour of the stadium during the long debate, touching on the benefits to raise aspirations for young people and the health and wellbeing benefits it could bring.

Mebyon Kernow leader Dick Cole said that the project was a "no-brainer" and said it presented an opportunity for Cornwall.

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Lib Dem councillor Jesse Foot said he thought the stadium could be "another jewel in the crown" for Cornwall. He said: "Yes, it is a risk, but it would be a bigger risk if we don't support this."

Newquay councillor John Fitter spoke against the plans, saying he could not support the funding request as people he had spoken to in his area were "overwhelmingly against" it.

He said: "If we support this it will become a year-on-year drain on resources to this council."

He added: "We are told to have a vision. I have a vision for Cornwall and a vision for its prosperity. I have a vision that is shared by the whole of Cornwall and not just the privileged few."

The owners and directors of Truro City Football Club, Cornish Pirates and Truro and Penwith College in the public gallery ready to hear the decision on the future of the Stadium For Cornwall (Image: Olivier Vergnault)

Barry Jordan said he could not support the stadium, describing it as a "stadium for Truro" and not for Cornwall.

Despite the concerns 69 councillors voted in favour to approve the funding, with 41 voting against and eight abstaining.

Speaking after the vote, MP for St Ives, Derek Thomas, said: "This is great news; having the council back this project will create the confidence needed and help to deliver the stadium that so many people have worked so hard for, for so many years.

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"This decision will also make it much easier for me and my colleagues in Westminster to make the case for Government funding to make up the shortfall.

"It is my belief that the stadium will provide a significant boost for Cornish sport and our economy as well as providing the venue for large gatherings that other counties take for granted."

Full house at the council meeting that will decide on the future of a Stadium for Cornwall

Martin Tucker, director of Penwith College and the lead on the Stadium for Cornwall project for the college, said: "We’re delighted that councillors have given this project such a massive vote of confidence. This is an investment in the future and in young people. This will be a true Stadium for Cornwall that will offer untold benefits for the county."

He said that all partners had heard the criticism and concerns some people but insisted they will do all they can to alleviate them.

He added: "Some people have been working on this project for 10 years and this is massively exciting for them. This vote is a step forward and a vote of confidence for the whole county."

Peter Child, director of the Cornish Pirates said all three partners in the project will now put pressure on all six Cornish MPs to lobby central Government to stump up the additional £3m needed for the Stadium for Cornwall to go ahead.

After the vote he said: “I’m absolutely elated. It was really tight going into it. I’ve never been to a council meeting before. There were some really good speeches which I think swayed the vote.

“The next stage will be to put pressure on our MPs to lobby the government for the extra £3m. If all goes well we could start digging on site in late summer.”

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Paul Durkin, chairman of the Cornish Pirates Rugby Club, said the hard work put in by all partners in the last three months to explain to people how the investment into a stadium for Cornwall would not have any bearing on public services, but represented a genuine investment in the future, has changed the tide.

Speaking after the vote, he said: “I’m so pleased. I’m elated. There was a lot of information that people did not get but the work we have put in to clarify the information and allay their fears and concerns has helped clarify many things and turned the tide in favour of the stadium. We’re pleased to have been able to out our message across. This is a great day for the whole of Cornwall.”

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Peter Masters, chairman of Truro City Football Club, said the vote was a great result not just for the stadium but for the future of Cornwall.

He said: “Truro City Football Club can now look to the future. We need to get the £3m from the Government, dot the ‘i’s and cross our ‘t’s and we’ll be able to start building the stadium. If it all comes into place, we’re looking at playing there for the season 2019/20. There will be a lot to do in a short time, but this is fantastic news today.”

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A Stadium for Cornwall spokesperson said: “The stadium partners are delighted that Cornwall’s Councillors have given their support - voting 69 for to 41 against - for our vision to create a hub for Cornish sport, health and wellbeing, education, and business.

“We had thought it might be a close vote, but having such a large majority in favour is a huge positive signal. The vote indicates this is something Cornwall wants and now the partners will move forward to deliver the project subject to the envisaged central government funding being forthcoming.

“We would like to thank councillors for the faith they have shown in the partnership and to take this opportunity to thank all of those from across Cornwall who have come together and supported the Stadium for Cornwall project.

“The partners would like to acknowledge the support of Cornwall Council officers, particularly Nigel Blackler, for their work in assisting the partnership in getting this positive vote at the Full Council today.

“In many ways, the hard work in delivering the stadium starts now and we cannot wait to deliver a stadium that Cornwall can be proud of.”

Members of the public have also been commenting on the plans on Cornwall Live's Facebook page.